Armada Re-Signs Defender Mechack Jerome

The Jacksonville Armada FC has announced the re-signing of center back Mechack Jérôme on Monday. Jérôme is now the eighth player from the 2016 season who is set to return to the team for the upcoming season.

Jérôme, 26, originally signed with the team on Sept. 25, 2015. During the 2016 season Jérôme racked up 2,172 minutes in 24 starts and 25 matches for the Armada. Along with creating 11 chances, Jérôme netted one goal and tallied one assist during the 2016 season. His goal came in a 3-3 draw against Puerto Rico FC when he scored a screamer in the 57th minute. The goal brought the Armada FC level with Puerto Rico, and nominated Jérôme for NASL Goal of the Year.

Jérôme was a major factor in the Armada FC backline last season. He recorded 82 clearances, four blocks and 59 interceptions in 25 games at defense. Jérôme was composed in the back completing over 90 percent of his passes on the Armada side of the field.

“We are elated to announce Mechack Jérôme as a returning player for the 2017 season,” said Armada FC Technical Director Nathan Walter. “Mechack and his family are very humble and gracious people. It would have been a huge loss to the Armada organization to lose a player of this quality because he offers us a different dimension when in possession of the ball and is a warrior within our back line”

He received the Farah & Farah Man of the Match honor three times last season, tying Charles Eloundou for second most on the team. Jérôme was also named to the NASL Team of the Week in August after two great performances against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Minnesota United.

Jérôme has also played for the Haitian National Team since he was 18 years old. He has recorded 58 caps and two goals, and was recently called up for the 2017 Caribbean Cup qualification 5th place play-offs against Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Jérôme is the second defensive player from the 2016 roster to be re-signed for this season.